EXTENSION TECHNICIAN 81061 C

This class is responsible for locating, enrolling and teaching low-income families and homemakers, youths, 4-H members, or small limited resource farmers to improve their knowledge, skills and utilization of available resources. Designs and teaches subject matter for each of these groups including: planning and preparation of balanced low cost meals; teaching basic principles of home maintenance, energy conservation, financial and consumer management; conducting educational/recreational activities for youths; and advising farmers on productive agricultural, marketing, and small farm management techniques.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty by implementing learning experiences for clients based on their needs and learning modes. Seeks, identifies, and offers extension services to prospective clients; enrolls clientele in programs and maintains a minimum caseload) motivates and educates clientele so as to maintain individual interest and participation; identifies available community resources; provides technical assistance/guidance and instruction to clients individually and/or in groups; and organizes clients into groups for joint education or cooperative efforts. Maintains records and reports on program planning and evaluation. Makes oral and written presentations to staff, advisory groups and others. Teaches targeted families, homemakers, youths and 4-H members in basic principles of nutrition, low-cost balanced meal preparation, health, fitness, safety, home maintenance, energy conservation, and/or financial and consumer management. Teaches youths and 4-H members major life skills and leadership development; and recruits volunteers to serve as leaders for 4-H programs. Advises limited-resource farmers regarding selection, development, care, harvesting, and marketing of agricultural products; educates clients in efficient farm management practices; and assists in locating and procuring capital, equipment, supplies, and markets. Meets on a regular basis with Extension Services staff to review progress reports, to discuss future planning and programming efforts, and/or to receive training in related subject matter.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Performs work under the direction of an Extension Agent or unit director.

Scope: Work performed affects physical and economic well-being of the client population in an assigned geographic area.

Impact of Actions: Work has moderate impact on the agency’s effort to provide extension services to targeted client populations. Effective decisions facilitate the education and motivation of clients to maximize the use of resources, and better their standard of living. Poor decisions would be costly in terms of time, money, and client goodwill.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with clientele, program personnel, agencies and organizations within the assigned geographic area to discuss services and to provide and obtain information.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the basic principles and applications of the assigned program area(s), i.e., nutrition, youth education, housing and/or agriculture.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to adapt resource management information to the needs of the clientele; to motivate and educate clientele in proper techniques to enhance their physical/economic well being.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in working with targeted groups/individuals in the assigned programmatic area(s) of responsibility.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised in August 1988 as a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program.

Last updated: 9/1/88